Does anyone here use a design program or anything to draw up plans for their work?  I am wanting to build my own workbench and would like to draw up some plans for it. 

Robert, I typically just do a pencil/paper sketch or if working from others design plans, red pen in my changes and alterations. I have done some using Excel and/or Powerpoint, but mostly paper/pencil.

 

@lew and some others frequently use Sketch-Up...They are quite proficient in it's use...I'm not; just haven't taken the time...I'm sure they'll be along to provide some useful insight soon.

I use the free version of Sketchup- Sketchup Make. You can get it here-

 

https://www.sketchup.com/download/all

Edited October 10, 20178 yr by lew

As usual, Lew to the rescue.  Thank you sir.

14 hours ago, Robert McMillan said:

As usual, Lew to the rescue.  Thank you sir.

Thanks

 

In the past, when you downloaded Sketchup Make, you actually get Sketchup Pro (paid edition) for a trial period. When the trial time is up, the Pro version reverts to the free "Make" version. You don't have to re-download anything it is an automatic change. You can buy the Pro version but that's only necessary if you are going to sell your drawings.

 

One special note about recent versions on Sketchup- When you get ready to install the downloaded program, right click on the .exe downloaded program and select "Run as Administrator". this makes certain that the program installs correctly. 

Actually, a work bench is a pretty simple design compared to designing and building cabinets.

 

Way back when I was a lot younger, I did most of my simple designs using the "isometric" principle which is making individual sketches of each part; then making sure everything adds up.

 

Do a search for "workbenches."  You will find many images then you can pick one and start drawing.  Fun!

 

Larry Jenkins

I use a antique POSTS drafting table and arm that I restored a few years ago. I learned drafting in high school with a table and arm, and since then I wanted a table and arm. A few years ago one of the neighbors three doors down had a rummage sale, and there were a couple guys leaning on this table having a conversation. I went over there to look and see what it was and to my surprise IT WAS A DRAFTING TABLE ! I have a brother inlaw that retired as a draftsman, and he told me that drafting with a computer really wasn't all that much faster, so I never took a interest or the extra time in learning to do it with a computer. I'm still drafting the old school way, manually.

Edited December 21, 20178 yr by CharlieL

I'll also add that drafting from a computer is described as a CAD drawing ( Computer Aided Drafting ) CAD software is used for making the drawings that are the stating point for a lot of CNC projects.

Edited December 22, 20178 yr by CharlieL

Computer Aided Drawing.  CNC instructions are programmed from existing, approved drawings.  Starting points and machining methods on the CNC machine are determined by the programmer.

Larry Jenkins